Open Bible Data Home  About  News  OET Key

OET OET-RV OET-LV ULT UST BSB MSB BLB AICNT OEB WEBBE WMBB NET LSV FBV TCNT T4T LEB BBE Moff JPS Wymth ASV DRA YLT Drby RV SLT Wbstr KJB-1769 KJB-1611 Bshps Gnva Cvdl TNT Wycl SR-GNT UHB BrLXX BrTr Related Topics Parallel Interlinear Reference Dictionary Search

InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT ESA WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV

Prov C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 C27 C28 C29 C30 C31

Prov 12 V1 V2 V3 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27 V28

OET interlinear PROV 12:4

◄ ← PROV 12:4 ↓ → ► ║ ©

Hebrew word order

    1. Hebrew word
    2. Hebrew lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. אֵשֶׁת
    2. 391124
    3. A wife of
    4. -
    5. 802
    6. S-Ncfsc
    7. a_wife_of
    8. S
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272414
    2. 391125
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-maqqef
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 272415
    1. חַיִל
    2. 391126
    3. ability
    4. -
    5. 2428
    6. S-Ncmsa
    7. ability
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272416
    1. עֲטֶרֶת
    2. 391127
    3. +is the crown of
    4. crown
    5. 5850
    6. P-Ncfsc
    7. [is]_the_crown_of
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272417
    1. בַּעְלָ,הּ
    2. 391128,391129
    3. her husband of her
    4. her husband
    5. 1167
    6. P-Ncmsc,Sp3fs
    7. her_husband_of,her
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272418
    1. וּ,כְ,רָקָב
    2. 391130,391131,391132
    3. and +is like rottenness
    4. rottenness
    5. 7538
    6. P-C,R,Ncmsa
    7. and_[is],like,rottenness
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272419
    1. בְּ,עַצְמוֹתָי,ו
    2. 391133,391134,391135
    3. in bones of his
    4. in bones
    5. 6106
    6. P-R,Ncfpc,Sp3ms
    7. in,bones_of,his
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272420
    1. מְבִישָׁה
    2. 391136
    3. a woman who acts shamefully
    4. shamefully
    5. 954
    6. S-Vhrfsa
    7. a_[woman_who]_acts_shamefully
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272421
    2. 391137
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-sof-pasuq
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 272422

OET (OET-LV) A_wife_of ability is_the_crown_of her_husband_of_her and_is_like_rottenness in_bones_of_his a_woman_who_acts_shamefully.

OET (OET-RV) A capable wife is the crown of her husband,
 ⇔ ^ but a wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:1–22:16: This is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs

This section is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs. It has a very different structure from the longer poetic lectures of chapters 1–9. It consists mostly of individual couplets (two-line poems) that are each one verse in length. With the exception of the title (10:1a), paragraph breaks will not be indicated in the Notes or Display. You may of course choose to start each proverb as a separate paragraph in your translation.

In chapters 10–15, most of these one-verse couplets express a contrast between the two lines. One of the more common contrasts is between the righteous/wise and the wicked/foolish and the different consequences of their conduct.

In chapters 16:1–22:16, more topics are discussed. There is more emphasis on the role of the king and other leaders. In these chapters, there are few proverbs with contrasting lines. Some of the parallel lines are similar in meaning. More frequently, the second line adds to what the first line says or gives an example. Most of the verses have no obvious connection with the previous or following proverbs.UBS (page 214), Fox (page 509), McKane (page 413). Many scholars, including McKane, point out that there are some topical groupings as well as poetic connections. These include the repetition of certain words or sounds. This observation does not deny the individual nature of most of the proverbs in this Section.

Two of the types of proverbs in this section are not found in chapters 1–9. One type contains logical reasoning from the lesser to the greater. See 11:31 for a list of these proverbs. There are also several varieties of complex “better than” proverbs. The most common have a contrasting situation in each line (see 12:9). For other varieties, see 16:16, 19:1, and 21:9.

Many of the proverbs in this section refer to categories of people who share a common trait. For example, they refer to the righteous, the wise, the poor, and the lazy. In Hebrew, some verses use singular forms to refer to these groups of people. Other verses use plural forms. Still others use a combination of singular and plural. See the note on 10:30a–b for one example. For most of these verses, the Notes will not comment on the difference between singular and plural forms. Use a natural way in your language to refer to one or more people who are in the same category.

Many of the proverbs in this section express a general principle in abstract terms. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. For example, 10:2a–b says:

Ill-gotten treasures are of no value,

but righteousness delivers from death.

However, the author intended his readers to understand these proverbs as advice that they should follow. In some languages, authors or speakers give advice more directly, using pronouns such as you(sing), you(plur), we(dual), or we(incl). See the note on 10:2 for translation suggestions.

Some other headings for this section are:

Proverbs of Solomon (NIV)

The Wise Words of Solomon (NCV)

Here are many wise things that Solomon said

12:4

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

4a A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,

4bbut she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

This proverb contrasts a good wife with a wife who disgraces her husband. The effect of these two kinds of wives on their husbands is described by a metaphor in 12:4a and a simile in 12:4b.

12:4a

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,

A wife of noble character: The word noble usually means “strength” or “power.” In this context, it indicates a wife who has both strength of character and competence. Most versions use only one expression to describe her. For example:

a capable wife (NJPS)

a worthy wife (NLT)

A good wife (GNT)

a wife with strength of character (GW)

Some languages may have one expression that includes both meanings of the Hebrew word. If not, you may use more than one term. For example:

a wife who is clever and good

is her husband’s crown: In this metaphor, a good wife is compared to a crown on her husband’s head. A crown is a symbol of honor. So a wife who is her husband’s crown causes him to be honored or respected by other people.

If this metaphor is not natural or clear in your language, some other ways to translate it are:

12:4b

but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones: This simile compares a wife who disgraces her husband to decay in his bones. The similarity is that the disgraceful wife steadily ruins her husband’s happiness, reputation, and influence. In the same way, a serious disease ruins his health.

In some languages, it may be helpful to make this similarity explicit. For example:

But if a wife’s behavior shames her husband, she will ruin his reputation just as a bone disease would ruin his health.

she who causes shame: This phrase refers to a wife who brings shame or disgrace to her husband or ruins his reputation.

is like decay in his bones: In Old Testament times, people regarded the bones as the source of the body’s health and strength.NIDOTTE (H6795). So the expression that the BSB translates as decay (the NRSV has “rottenness”) in his bones refers to a disease which slowly but steadily takes away a person’s health and strength. A possible modern equivalent of this condition is cancer. For example:

rottenness in his bones (NRSV)

bone cancer (GW)

a cancer in his bones (GNT)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

אֵֽשֶׁת־חַ֭יִל

wife_of excellent

Here Solomon is using the possessive form to describe a wife that is characterized by worth. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “A worthy wife”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

עֲטֶ֣רֶת בַּעְלָ֑⁠הּ

crown_of her_husband_of,her

Here Solomon refers to a woman causing her husband to be honored as if she were his crown. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “brings great honor to her husband” or “honors her husband as if she were his crown”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

וּ⁠כְ⁠רָקָ֖ב בְּ⁠עַצְמוֹתָ֣י⁠ו מְבִישָֽׁה

and_[is],like,rottenness in,bones_of,his brings_shame

Solomon is saying that a woman who causes shame for her husband is like rottenness in his bones because she gradually ruins his life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “but she who causes shame is what makes his life miserable”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וּ⁠כְ⁠רָקָ֖ב בְּ⁠עַצְמוֹתָ֣י⁠ו

and_[is],like,rottenness in,bones_of,his

Here, rottenness refers to a disease like cancer that slowly destroys a person’s body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “is like cancer in his bones”

Note 5 topic: writing-pronouns

בְּ⁠עַצְמוֹתָ֣י⁠ו

in,bones_of,his

Here, the pronoun his refers to the husband of the woman who causes shame. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “in her husband’s bones”

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Hebrew word
    5. Hebrew lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. A wife of
    2. -
    3. 290
    5. 391124
    6. S-Ncfsc
    8. S
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272414
    1. ability
    2. -
    3. 2446
    5. 391126
    6. S-Ncmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272416
    1. +is the crown of
    2. crown
    3. 5566
    5. 391127
    6. P-Ncfsc
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272417
    1. her husband of her
    2. her husband
    3. 1112,1978
    5. 391128,391129
    6. P-Ncmsc,Sp3fs
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272418
    1. and +is like rottenness
    2. rottenness
    3. 1987,3418,7347
    5. 391130,391131,391132
    6. P-C,R,Ncmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272419
    1. in bones of his
    2. in bones
    3. 846,5775,1978
    5. 391133,391134,391135
    6. P-R,Ncfpc,Sp3ms
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272420
    1. a woman who acts shamefully
    2. shamefully
    3. 1279
    5. 391136
    6. S-Vhrfsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 272421

OET (OET-LV) A_wife_of ability is_the_crown_of her_husband_of_her and_is_like_rottenness in_bones_of_his a_woman_who_acts_shamefully.

OET (OET-RV) A capable wife is the crown of her husband,
 ⇔ ^ but a wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.OET logo mark

◄ ← PROV 12:4 ↑ → ► ║ ©